Please start Sturgis (and Williams too) …
By: Fitz | April 9th, 2008I’d better post this before the topic accelerates from “Pregame Speculation” to “Master of the Obvious.”
I wondered, after he didn’t play in the opener, how Nathan Sturgis would fit into RSL’s plans this season. One answer might come Saturday. Our good friend (and actual reporter) James Edward writes on his Deseret News blog that Sturgis played with the starters during the first of two 15-minute 11-on-11 games. He played with Dema Kovalenko, Kyle Beckerman and Javi Morales. I’d rather see Andy Williams there instead of Dema — more on that soon.
The Sturgis Question has become magnified since Carey Talley struggled at Chivas USA (Turnover leading to Galindo chance at 0:30, the “shrugs off a challenge” you don’t see at 0:43 was Talley’s) …
Granted, Talley was strong in the opener against Chicago. I gave him a 7. But I’d give Sturgis the starting nod for three reasons:
1. We already know Jason Kreis trusts him. He started last season in the system Kreis still uses.
2. He’s coming off a strong Olympic qualifying session.
3. The bench is your ally. John Wooden said that. Steve Spurrier believed it. Two pretty good coaches there. Kreis took great strides in adding depth, so why not use it? Plug Sturgis into a starting role and keep him there if the performance validates it. Then Talley must work hard to earn the spot back. As long as everyone handles the decision professionally, everyone’s better.
Now, about Andy Williams: He arrived in fantastic shape, was RSL’s best player in the opener and is a better attacker than Dema. I wouldn’t protest too hard if Dema kept his starting role. I just think RSL needs a little more flair. Possession’s nice. Goals are better.
My suggested starting midfield: Beckerman, Sturgis, Williams, Morales.
Thoughts?
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Comments
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Word to this post and word to that starting midfield.
If RSL is going to play a box midfield, instead of a pretend diamond, I believe our best midfield would consist of Beckerman, Sturgis, Williams, and Morales.
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I’m not convinced Sturgis is an upgrade from the status quo yet. Maybe he is, but I have yet to see it…at least at MLS level. His role is much different with the Jr Nats–and he only looked average during qualifying, IMO. I hope he pans out. He’s also injury prone (but so recently is Talley).
Keep up the good blog work Fitz.
FM
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